Combination vanity and cigarette case



De'.14, 1937. QIHANNINGS 2,102,414

COMBINATION VANITY AND CIGARETTE CASE Filed Aug. 29, 1956 Patented Ecc. lei), 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIIIBINATION VANITY AND CIGARETTE CASE ration oi Illinois Application August 29, 1936, Serial No. 98,535

Claims.

This invention relates to a case for a pocket or pocketbook having therein multiple compartments, each covered by a lid of its own, there being also a cover ior the case in its entirety. In such a construction the lids and cover may be releasably secured in closed position by appropriate catches. The present improvements are directed in part to certain special features of one such catch which combines integrally in its own structure a hook, hinge joint and spring. In addition, I have also incorporated in the present case other minor features as will hereinafter appear trom the description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a view in perspective of the case with covers open to er ibit the interior construction;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the case taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of a special catch construction employed for releasably securing one of the lids in closed position.

As herein shown, the case comprises a dished body B having along one edge a series of joints 4 intertting with other joints 5 formed along one edge of a dished cover C, a pin being extended through all oi the joints to hingedly connect the cover to the body. Also intertting with the joints 4 and 5 are other joints formed on one edge of a lid l against which presses one end of a spring t which is coiled around the pin. The opposite pin end may bear against the body, thus exerting opposing forces on the body and lid by which the one tends to swing' away from the other. In such a movement the lid also pushes against the cover whereby to cause that element to swing away from the body.

The interior of the case may be arranged according to any desired plan. As shown, I have located at one end of the body a rectangular 40 frame 9 with depending marginal flanges, three or" which lie close to marginal edges of the body to which the frame may be secured with cooperation from the hinge joints and lips lil which are inwardly extended from the body edges. Formed within the frame is a sunken panel il deiining a powder compartment. Over this compartment is positioned a lid i 2 shallowly recessed to provide a rouge compartment which may be covered by a smail hinged lid I3 having a suitable catch by which it is normally held closed. The compartment lid is itself joined to the frame by a hinge connection i4 along the frame side which is remote from the body end at which point I provide a spring catch l5 adapted to engage the swinging edge of the lid whereby to hold it (Cl. 20G-38) normally closed. The frame and associated parts constitute the vanity unit the construction and arrangement of which may be variously made.

The remainder of the case is available for the accommodation of other articles, such as ciga- 5 rettes, and will accordingly be referred to as the cigarette. compartment. The lid 'I for this compartment is suitably dished to cooperate with the body in providing a space of ample capacity, and with the cover in the occupation of a minimum of l0 space. The end of this lid which lies proximate to the powder compartment is formed with a ilange i6 having a beveled inset il (see Fig. 2) extending for a short distance in its central region. This inset lies opposite a catch A which, l5 as best shown in Fig. 3, is formed at one end with a beveled head I9 formed with a nose 20 which is adapted to overlie the lid l when the latter is moved to closed position; the catch extends away laterally through a neck portion 2|, and is pro- 20 vided with a pair of shoulder joints 22 separated sufficiently for the protrusion therethrough of a body 23 which depends a short distance and then extends laterally as at 24 to provide a bowed leaf spring 25. The hinged points of this catch lie in 25 a pocket 26 in the top of the frame 9 so as to be traversed by the pin which is comprised in the hinged connection I4 for the lid I2. The bowed spring 25 extends transversely of the oase along a partition wall 21 which depends from the rec- 30 tangular frame 9, the spring bearing with pressure against this wall to urge the catch to the engaging position which is shown clearly in Fig.

2. The head of this catch which remains protruded abo-ve the lid 1 may be engaged by ones 35 nger to swing the catch back against the tension of its spring tongue 25 whereby the lid is released for opening movement which takes place in response to tension of the spring 8.

In use, the cover may be closed down upon the body of the case, and in this movement the cigarette compartment lid is also pushed to closed position. In executing this movement the beveled inset of the lid rides down over the head of the catch until it is engaged by the nose of the latter so as to be locked down in closed position. The cover is itself provided with a lip 28 extending inwardly from its free edge for engagement by a spring catch 29 which is carried by the body, there being an actuating lug 3B extending there through whereby the catch may be operated from the exterior of the case. To open the cover the catch 29 is pressed in, whereupon the lip 28 is disengaged. The cover may be provided with 55 an opening spring 3| of its own so that it will move to wide open position once the catch 29 be released. The lid 1, however, will remainVV thereagainst adapted to releasably engage thev lid when in closed position.

2. A casein which is mounted a recessed frame providing a separate compartment, a wall eX- tended from the frame forming a partition which separates the compartment from the remainder of the case interior, a lid hinged over a portion of the case interior adjacent the compartment, and a one-piece spring catch pivotally mounted on the frame resiliently bearing against the partition wall and adapted to releasably engage the lid when in closed position.

3. In a case the combination of a body, a frame tted into the body forming a compartment therein separate from the remainder of the body, the frame comprising a partition wall and a spring catch pivoted to the frame and engaging with said wall, and a lid within the body releasably engaged by the catch when in closed position.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a onepiece spring catch comprising a head on which is formed a locking shoulder, a neck extended laterally from the head, a pair of aligned spaced joints depending from the neck, and a body ex tending from the neck between the joints and then laterally through an elongated bow to provide a leaf spring for the catch.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a one-piece spring catch comprising a locking head, a pair of aligned spaced joints below the head, and a body extending between the joints and laterally through an elongated bow to provide a leaf spring for the catch.

CHARLES J. HANNINGS. 

